Pages

Friday, September 30, 2011

The State We're InJonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective.

This week: Identity crisis

A Dutch woman nearly becomes an unwitting terrorist bomber. A former bullfighter on how the bulls he killed still haunt his dreams, while a British philosopher talks about why he became a bullfighter. And an Irish journalist recounts being incarcerated, wrongly, for internet fraud. A victim of identity theft, she struggles to clear her name.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

Earth BeatMarnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we’re leaving on our planet.

This week: Carving up our land

We tell stories about the walls we build to divide our environment, and why it’s sometimes best to have no barriers at all. The pros and cons of carving up our land.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia WiredStories from South Asia.

This week:

Sri Lanka and Kashmir have both witnessed decades-long conflict and remain deeply divided after thousands of civilian deaths and disappearances. Would a Truth and Reconciliation Commission heal old wounds, or would it rub salt in them?

To discuss this matter, is Colombo-based Sanjana Hattotuwa from the award-winning site Groundviews, and Mumbai-based lawyer and blogger, Gautam Patel. A cross border debate that airs the similarities and the dark past of the dream island and the mountain paradise.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday 6 October 2011)

First airing: Thursday 14:00 UTC

Bridges With AfricaWe're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa.

This week:

After July’s riots and the resulting freeze of international aid, Malawi’s president promised some reforms. But did he keep his word?This week Senegal remembers the 2002 shipping disaster in which ferryboat Joola sank, taking 1863 people down with her. While the Senegalese government has largely ignored the tragedy, a young journalist erected his own Joola Monument.Afrikaans is generally seen as South Africa’s apartheids language. Nowadays though Afrikaans is cool! Contemporary theatre show Afrikaaps, now playing in the Netherlands, rewrites the history of the language.Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner, Wangari Maathai, sadly passed away this week. She used to tell a beautiful little story about the Humblebee, in an attempt to inspire her varied and often highly respected audiences.

What is it that drives the women who make it to the top and succeed in making a difference in Africa and the rest of the world? This edition presents two powerful African role models: the late Wangari Maathai - the Kenyan environmentalist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize - and Etweda Cooper - a driving force behind the peace movement in Liberia. Their message for the younger generation: ‘Don’t give up!’

First airing: Monday 18:00 UTC

Commonwealth StoryA selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2010 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

This week:

Retirement - by Schachi Kaul (India). A daughter's view of her father's retirement.

First airing: Tuesday 00:55 UTC

Global PerspectiveWho says I can’t… is the motto of this year’s collaboration of international broadcasters, offering stories of defiance and perseverance.

This week: Who says I can’t serve?

Armed forces in many countries have 'don't ask, don't tell' policies when it comes to sexual orientation, but not New Zealand. Radio New Zealand’s Mike Gourley introduces us to Lieutenant-Commander Kevin Sanderson - a gay naval officer in the New Zealand Navy - tells his story.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

Hear the WorldListen to the world’s musical heartbeat on RNW. A brand new world music series hosted by Dheera Sujan.

This week:

Zabit Nabizade is a singer from Azerbaijan. He performs mugam, a mixture of Turkish and Persian music and poetry.

Vocalist Mariem Hassan from the Western Sahara sings about her people, the Saharawi, in a combination of protest songs and mesmerising poems.

From their debut album, we play Lenneke van Staalen & Heiko Dijker's Indian raga, Jang Puri.

Voice of America reporter John Tanza Mabusu is getting credit for successfully pushing the world’s largest online map sites to recognize the new Republic of South Sudan, which gained independence more than two months ago, but is still not shown on most maps.

“When South Sudan was declared an independent nation, we were all excited,” says Tanza. So, he was surprised when online sites didn’t quickly update their maps to reflect the emergence of the new nation on July 9th.

Tanza, a native of South Sudan who works for the VOA program, South Sudan in Focus, decided to launch an online petition calling on Google maps, Microsoft and other sites to make the change and show South Sudan as a separate nation from its neighbor to the north.

The petition, which he organized in his private time, caught the attention of Google Maps. The site, which said it had already been gathering data for the change, promptly placed South Sudan on its map. “I don’t want to make a big deal of this,” Tanza told one of his VOA colleagues, “Nation building is a long process, and there are the small steps you need to achieve on an individual basis.”

Tanza, who has reported extensively on the country’s long struggle for independence, has now been recognized by a number of media organizations, which credit him with ‘Putting South Sudan on the map.’

He says the attention has helped get the maps changed, but he gives the credit to those who took the time to join the campaign. “I have been receiving congratulatory messages for taking this initiative. But the truth is, I need to thank them for signing the petition,” Tanza says. And he says he’s optimistic that all the mapping services will soon make the change.(VOA)

By Peter SavodnikFrom a lonely rusted tower in a forest north of Moscow, a mysterious shortwave radio station transmitted day and night. For at least the decade leading up to 1992, it broadcast almost nothing but beeps; after that, it switched to buzzes, generally between 21 and 34 per minute, each lasting roughly a second—a nasally foghorn blaring through a crackly ether. The signal was said to emanate from the grounds of a voyenni gorodok (mini military city) near the village of Povarovo, and very rarely, perhaps once every few weeks, the monotony was broken by a male voice reciting brief sequences of numbers and words, often strings of Russian names: “Anna, Nikolai, Ivan, Tatyana, Roman.” But the balance of the airtime was filled by a steady, almost maddening, series of inexplicable tones.

Sirius XM Radio has announced that it will launch “Live from the BBC Vault,” the new series featuring concert broadcasts from the extensive and wide-ranging BBC Radio archive.

“Live from the BBC Vault” will feature two different performances each week on various SiriusXM channels. SiriusXM listeners will hear classic performances recorded over the past 40 years by artists such as Led Zeppelin, U2, Lady Gaga, AC/DC, Duran Duran, Queen, The Cure and other music legends.

The series will debut on SiriusXM’s Deep Tracks, channel 27, on Monday, 3 October at 10:00 pm ET with a vintage BBC performance by Pink Floyd, recorded in 1973; and SiriusXMU, channel 35, on Wednesday, 5 October at 9:00 pm ET, which will broadcast a classic performance by Radiohead, recorded in 1997. Both performances will be rebroadcast throughout the week.

The following week First Wave, channel 33, will air a vintage BBC concert from R.E.M., recorded in 1985, in honor of the Hall of Fame inducted Athens, GA band who recently announced their separation after 31 years.

“The BBC In Concert catalogue is a deep archive of incredible performances recorded by BBC Radio over many years. We’re really pleased that by working with long-standing partner SiriusXM we’re able to make a wonderful selection of highly acclaimed concerts available to North American music fans,” said Salim Mukaddam, Head of Radio, BBC Worldwide.

“The BBC archives are rich with some of the best performances of our generation from legendary artists to the rising stars of today, and we are delighted to deliver these performances to SiriusXM subscribers,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. “We know the fans of BBC are passionate and loyal, and as we promised, we will deliver these special concert performances across several of our channels. This is a valuable part of our continued relationship with BBC Worldwide.”

BBC Radio 1 is available on SiriusXM Internet Radio and on smartphones and mobile devices. In addition to being available online, BBC Radio 1 programming is broadcast on satellite radio at various times throughout the year coinciding with major events in BBC Radio 1’s programming schedule.(Source: Sirius XM Radio/R Netherlands Media )

Solar activity ranged from low to high levels during the period. Activity was low during 19 - 20 September with C-class flares from Regions 1295 (N22, L = 057, class/area Ekc/550 on 23 September), 1296 (N26, L = 040, class/area Dai/130 on 15 September), and 1301 (N19, L = 330, class/area Eso/210 on 21 September). Activity increased to moderate levels on 21 September due to an M1 x-ray flare at 21/1223Z. A further increase to high levels occurred on 22 September with an X1/2n flare at 22/1101Z from Region 1302 (N12, L = 282, class/area Fkc/1300 on 24 September) as it rotated into view. The X1 was associated with Types II/IV radio sweeps, a Tenflare, and a non-Earth-directed CME. Activity decreased to moderate levels on 23 September with low-level M-class flares from Regions 1295 and 1302. Activity returned to high levels on 24 September with three major flares from Region 1302: an X1/2b at 24/0940Z associated with Types II/IV radio sweeps, a Tenflare, and a halo-CME; an M7/1f at 24/1320Z, with a much faster partial halo CME that appears to overtake the previous CME; and an M5 at 24/2036Z. Finally, an M3 flare from Region 1302 at 24/1921Z had an associated Type II sweep, Tenflare, and partial-halo CME (estimated P.O.S. speed 632 km/s). Activity decreased to high levels on 25 September with Region 1302 and 1303 (S28, L = 034, class/area Cso/070 on 25 September) both producing multiple M-class events.

A greater than 10 MeV proton event at geosynchronous orbit began at 23/2255Z in response to the X1 flare on 22 September and was in progress at the close of the summary period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 28 September - 24 October 2011

Solar activity is expected to be at moderate to high levels with more major flare activity from Region 1302 until it crosses the west limb on 03 October. Activity is expected to decrease to low levels during 04 - 19 October.On 20 October, activity is expected to increase to low - moderate levels with the return of Region 1302 for the remainde of the forecast period.

There will be a chance for another proton flare from Region 1302 until it departs the visible disk on 04 October. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit for the remainder of the period.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels during 28 September - 03 October. An increase to normal to high flux levels is expected during 04 - 05 October due to CH HSS effects. Normal to moderate fluxes are expected during 06 - 10 October as CH HSS effects subside. Fluxes are expected to rise to normal to high levels from 11 - 15 October due to CH HSS effects. 1A return to normal to moderate background levels is expected from 16 - 24 October.

Geomagnetic activity is expected to be at unsettled to active levels on 28 September as CME effects subside. A decrease to quiet levels is expected on 29 - 30 September. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to unsettled levels during 01-02 October due to a coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS). A return to quiet levels is expected during 02 - 07 October. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to active levels during 08 - 11 October as another CH HSS disturbs the field. A return to predominantly quiet levels is expected for the remainder of the period.

Friday, September 23, 2011

The State We're InJonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective.

LoverboysA woman in Mumbai finds out what beauty really means after her husband throws acid in her face. A young Dutch woman reveals how she became a prostitute – and then a recruiter – for so-called ‘loverboys’. And a mother of a ‘loverboy’ victim explains how she’s fighting back.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

Earth BeatMarnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we’re leaving on our planet.

Keeping it cleanGetting rid of dirt and being clean is seen as a good thing. But what happens when we take clean to the extreme? Plus, why it could pay not to apply the elbow grease. Earth Beat, a little bit dirty, but in a good way.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia WiredStories from South Asia.

What do you do if you hear your neighbours fighting and screaming? In India, the ‘Bel Bajao’ campaign asks people to simply ring the neighbour’s doorbell. Not just to interrupt the fighting, but also to show the neighbours that someone is listening and that people know what’s going on. It helps tackle domestic violence, the campaigners say. But does it really?

Also on the programme, an interview with Heera, an American-Indian hip hop and rap artist who came to India to help street kids find a better future, using breakdancing and rapping to achieve his goal.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday 29 September)

First airing: Thursday 14:00 UTC

Bridges With AfricaWe're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa.

Journalist from Ethiopia chased from his country – thanks Wikileaks! Dutch government cuts billions of euros in development aid – does it really matter? Serious rap from South Africa’s capital.

Naming, shaming and jailing: undercover in Africa Anas Aremeyaw Anas is a man whose aim is to name, shame and jail people. He does his work wearing elaborate disguises, and uses tiny hidden cameras to expose all kinds of abuses.

At great personal risk, he has gone undercover as a psychiatric patient, a pastor, a student, a labourer, a pimp, a woman, and even a tribal king. As a result of his work, corrupt officials have been arrested and measures have been taken to protect vulnerable citizens.

First airing: Monday 18:00 UTC

Commonwealth StoryA selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2010 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

The Lift - by Matthew Gibbs (Australia). A story about child trafficking.

First airing: Tuesday 00:55 UTC

Global PerspectiveWho says I can’t… is the motto of this year’s collaboration of international broadcasters, offering stories of defiance and perseverance.

Who says I can’t escape?Canada is a nation of immigrants. Its self-image as a safe haven for refugees is a point of national pride. But there is always a gatekeeper, a bureaucrat in an immigration office who says you can - or can’t - come in. And that’s where broadcaster Natasha Fatah begins the story of Eduardo Lopez in her documentary Escape from Honduras, from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

Hear the WorldListen to the world’s musical heartbeat on RNW. A brand new world music series hosted by Dheera Sujan.

Yamandu Costa is a guitarist from Brazil, often described as one of the best in the world. He mixes Argentinian and Brazilian styles with jazz and classical elements.

French 10-man band Babylon Circus brings energetic music with shades of ska, French chanson, jazz, punk and Balkan music.

Dutch-Portuguese band Jiga-Voo's music is warm and sunny with an Afro-Brazilian rhythm.

First airing: Monday 00:00 UTC

RNW ClassicalClassical concerts from the Royal Concertgebouw as well as studio recordings of Dutch performers, presented by Hans Haffmans.

Australia2485, VL8-K (Katherine) Australian ABC-NT Service. Channel wiped out by strong digital signal from unid utility station, making it impossible to determine if Australia is coming thru this morning or not. Utility signal not heard for two days. Noted yesterday station was not audible. Only traces of carrier on 2310 and 2325 then and today. (Rick Barton, AZ)

Bangladesh4750, Bangladesh Betar, 1403. Have not heard this one in awhile. Distinctive bagpipes to subcontinent music and 1405 news in what sound like Bengali. Holding its own against RRI and CNR1 (China) interference (Ton Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

Bolivia4795.937, Radio Lipez, 0955-1005. Female announcer in Spanish with comments only periodically as the signal was very weak. They seemed to be having problems this morning (Chuck Bolland, FL)

5952.376, Emisoras Pio XII, 1025-1035. With a fair signal in the clear, noted two malespresenting the world news in Spanish language. Heard a number of place names included. Signal was fair. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

6134.795, Radio Santa Cruz, 1016-1030. Female announcer giving a lesson of some kindas she recites instructions or letters. She is joined by a male who also recites instructions. Signal is good compared to what it was 45 minutes ago which was poor. (Chuck Bolland, FL).

Brazil11765.067, Super Radio de Deus e Amor, 2345-0007. Noted religious preaching and comments in Portuguese. On the 0001 hour noted a canned ID with frequencies which I didn't understand due to poor language skills. Signal was fair however. This was a tip from Albert Muick who says this station is testing but is already listed on this freq in the WRTH. Heard a weaker signal on parallel frequency of 9565 kHz. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

6035, PBS Yunnan/Voice of Shangri-La, 1253. In Vietnamese. Good to hear they still have the distinctive “This is the Voice of Shangri-La, brought to you by Yunnan Radio.” Then into Chinese programming. Better than heard during the summer, but still adjacent interference. This year not even a hint of BBS/Bhutan. MP3 audio at www.box.net/shared/17atqrjtqsxhx04rqisu . Tough to copy through adjacent interference, but English ID is there. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

Guatemala4055, Radio Verdad, 0350. Light piano religious music (even heard Amazing Grace) into ID on the hour and more music. Annoying het started at 0403 and made the listening unbearable. Just a carrier, no modulation, so causing difficulties. (Al Muick, PA)

India4775, All India Radio, Imphal, 1350. One of their best receptions. Interview to subcontinent music. Series of ads.ews at 1400 in Hindi. CODAR interference. Unfortunately the other Northeast India station at Shillong on 4970 was off the air today. MP3 audio has ads at http://www.box.net/shared/yv49yob6yoagdagz98sp. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX).

Indonesia4749.966, RRI Makassar, 0947-1000. Male announcer's comments for a few moments, followed by music. After one tune, a female joins with comments. Language sounded like Indonesian. Lot's of noise this morning as the signal was poor. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Oman15355 Radio Oman. English news read by female announcer, including the final item regarding the crisis in the Eurozone. Pop vocal to British accented announcer with local news that appears to have been mostly just read from the Muscat Daily (he pronounced it like the gun - Musket!) Newspaper, including mention of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and local social events. Each item was followed by a snippet of Dave Brubeck ‘Take 5’ and concluded with mention of ‘hot and sunny’ weather in Muscat. US pop music program, no actual station ID, but format fits. SINPO began as 2+4+43+3+ but fading. (Zichi; MI/ (MARE 644)

Peru6173.962, Radio Tawantinsuyo, 1020-1030. Very poor signal with a male's Spanish comments. Signal is covered by a couple of strong stations that are making it impossible to hear any real details, but Tawantinsuyo is definitely in there.(Chuck Bolland, FL).

Taiwan9465, Family Radio relay, 1045. Pastor Harold Camping with bible study lesson. Will be interested to see if they recycle reruns of Open Forum. (Rick Barton, AZ)

Sri Lanka12150, Voice of America relay, 1215. Current events in English with emphasis on China, Taiwan, Korea, and Asia. Very good signal. (Rick Barton, AZ)

Special thanks to one of my Canadian contributors, Edward Kusalik. Today's QSLs are a portion of his recent QSLs. Additional contributions will be included in a future edition of my QSL Report column in Monitoring Times magazine. Contributions are always welcome, and our worldwide readers enjoy reading what you're QSLing.Gayle Van Horn

Australia6080 Radio Australia-ABC Radio Queensland Special Tropical Yasi Broadcast via Shepparton. Full data (with site/power/specific name of the Broadcast) Medium wave and short-wave broadcasting in Australia QSL card. Also received with the QSL’s, program and shortwave guide and ARDXC Information. Verified in 29 days, after sending second follow-up inquiry for a total of four months. (Kusalik-ALB)

11549.10 Radio Australia Indonesian Broadcast via Tainan. Full data ‘Radio Australia in Touch With the World QSL Card’. Verified in 29 days,after sending second follow-up inquiry for a total of four months.(Kusalik-ALB)

Russia15595 Deutsche Welle Dari and Pashtu Broadcast via Krasnodar. Full data (with site) ’20 years of German Unity’ QSL card for a Postal report to Customer Service to Bonn address. Reply in 26 days. (Kusalik-ALB)

15595 Deutsche Welle Urdu Broadcast via Krasnodar. Full data (with site) ’20 years of German Unity’ QSL card for a Postal report to Customer Service to Bonn address. Reply in 16 days. (Kusalik-ALB)

Singapore6140 Radio Australia English Broadcast via Singapore. Full data ‘Radio Australia in Touch With the World QSL Card’ Verified in 29 days, after sending second follow-up inquiry for a total of four months. (Kusalik-ALB)

Sri Lanka6165 Deutsche Welle German broadcast to Asia via Trincomala. Full data (with site) ’20 years of German Unity’ QSL card for a postal report. Reply in 20 days. (Kusalik-ALB)

Taiwan11605.1o Radio Free Asia Vietnamese Broadcast via Tan-shui. Full data (with site indicated as ‘Asia’) ’15 years of bringing Free press to Closed Societies’ Card and a nice RFA Blue Date Book for an e-mail report. Reply in 11 days. (Kusalik-ALB)

United Arab Emirates9715 Deutsche Welle Russian Broadcast to CIS via Dhabayya. Full data (with site) ’20 years of German Unity’ QSL Card. Also sent press release of the up-coming changes on short wave future. Reply in 33 days. (Kusalik-ALB)

13840 Deutsche Welle English broadcast to Africa via Dhabayya. Full data (with site) ’20 years of German Unity’ QSL card, for a report sent during a postal disruption. Reply in 33 days. (Kusalik-ALB)

The Nigerian Minister for Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, has said the Federal Government may scrap the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) or simply streamline its activities with those of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

She said: “Stakeholders’ calls reverberate the need to merge the two agencies for appropriate utilisation of the digital dividends that will result from the migration of broadcasting from analogue to digital by 2015.The freed-up frequencies could be licensed to telecom operators to provide services, especially to drive broadband penetration.”

She added that NCC may soon become the regulator of all other agencies, including the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), among others.(Source: The Nation/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog )

Although by September 15th there were 11 numbered regions on the visible solar disk, solar activity was low. Region 1289 (N23, L=129, class/area, Dho/450 on 10 September) was the largest region but only managed to produce low level C-flare activity. Region 1297 (S18, L=151, class/area, Dao/60 on 16 September), numbered on the 14 September, was the most active region during the period. The region produced 12 flares, including a C9/1F on 14 September at 2051 UTC, before decaying to plage late on the 17 September. Regions 1295 (N22, L=060, class/area, Dhc/300 on 18 September) and 1290 (S15, L=139, class/area, Dsi/070 on 12 September) also produced C9 flares;a long duration C9 at 12/2054 UTC and a C9/Sf at 16/1136 UTC respectively. The remaining regions produced only low to mid level C-class activity.

The only earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME) of the week was linked to an eruption on the 13 September in the vicinity of Region 1289 (N24W25). The full halo CME was observed in SOHO / LASCO C2 imagery at 14/0000Z with an estimated plane-of-sky speed of 428 km/s which was later refined to approximately 600 km/s using STEREO COR2 imagery.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to active levels at mid latitudes and briefly reached severe storm levels at high latitudes. The week began with unsettled to active levels at middle latitudeswith active to major storm conditions at higher latitudes as the geomagnetic field continued to be influenced by a geoeffective coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS). Disturbed conditions continued until mid day on the 13 September. By 14 September, the geomagnetic field had returned to quiet levels as the effects of the high speed stream waned. Quiet conditions persisted until 17September when the CME from 13 September arrived at earth. The CME passage was first observed at the ACE spacecraft at 17/0256 UTC followed by a 21 nT sudden impulse at the Boulder magnetometer. The geomagnetic field reacted with unsettled to active conditions at mid latitudes and periods of major to severe storm levels at high latitudes. Mostly quiet conditions returned by 18 September with two active periods observed mid-day at high latitudes.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Vatican Radio will cover the upcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Germany with a number of special transmissions. Here is a list taken from the RV website (shortwave only, also via satellite and 585 mediumwave for Rome). Source: http://www.radiovaticana.org/it1/trasm_spec.asp

All times UTC

22 September, 1405: Berlin - Speech in the Parliament7290 German for Europe17705 Portuguese for Africa15570 English for Africa

What a great place to DX from ... the Peruvian Andes ! Today's Blog Logs include what DXers recently monitored from Peru. Thanks to DX Window for including this glimpse of DX from a prime DX location. Gayle VH

DXpedition to Peru

On August 05-18, 2011, Dario Monferini and Roberto Pavanello from Italy were on a DXpedition to the Peruvian Andes. There they met DXers Carlos Gamarra in Cusco (altitude 3.340 meters) and Pablito Albornos in Shismay (2.320 meters altitude), 24 km. north of Huánuco. They brought two Degen 1103’s and one Sangean ATS909. Here are their shortwave loggings mostly heard between 2315 and 0200 UTC.

5039.19, Radio Libertad, Junín, 1010-1100. Local music and station ID in Spanish over music at 1026 and 1100. Amauta, a favorite and first time heard in a little while. Interesting selections of modern, mellow Andes fusion instrumentals, featuring deeply reverbed fiddles, pinkillos, quenas and arpa, in a familiar huayno-type melody. Fair signal quality. (Bolland, Perry, Wilkner and Wlodarski)

On October 1, 2011, Voice of America’s (VOA) Chinese radio service will go silent, as U.S. international broadcasting abandons the airwaves and moves to the Internet. In the burgeoning age of new media, many, including the management at Voice of America, seem to be questioning the continued relevance of shortwave radio. Yet, while the Internet offers great potential, U.S. public diplomacy cannot rest exclusively on the use of a single platform. This is particularly true where the prevalence of Internet censorship is high. Just this past May, China announced the creation of its State Internet Information Office, intended to expand and enhance China’s information dissemination policy, and leading many to question whether abandoning the airwaves is truly the best way to reach America’s audiences throughout the world. On May 25, 2011, three expert panelists—the senior editor at VOA’s China branch, the CEO of Continental Electronics Corporation, and VOA’s former director—discussed the current U.S. strategy for its international broadcasting.

HUCHEN ZHANG, Senior Editor, Voice of America China Branch: My name is Huchen Zhang; I’ve been working at Voice of America’s (VOA) China branch for 20 years. I’m speaking to you today as a professional journalist and private citizen. What I’m going to say are my personal observations and opinions. They do not represent the official policy of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB), or VOA.

4910, Radio Madagasikara, Ambohidrano, 1345-1444 UTC, Sep 06 and 08, ex 5010 (leaving AIR there in the clear with fair reception). Long monologue, after 1400 series of IDs, African Hi-Life music and African pop songs, possible ID at 1438. Signal very strong in USB, but also heard weak LSB, so calling it unbalanced double side band AM, clearly // weak 6135.27 (in the clear after Shiokaze's scheduled sign off at 1430). Via long path. Probably just a frequency entering error? MP3 audio of several IDs posted at http://www.box.net/shared/3gfzftd4tf38c66d6avc . (Howard).

Heard as unid in Greece on Sep 09 at 1945 UTC with a sport type program though audio is very low. Found to be // 5040 and // 4810. (Liangas).

Also heard at 0348-0416 UTC, Sep 10. Noted on this frequency thanks to Ron Howard log with man announcer hosting pop music program with English language lyrics. ID at 0400 followed by another man with news. More pop tunes from 0405 with talk by a woman announcer at 0409. Poor to fair with CODAR interference. (D’Angelo)

5010, Radio Madagasikara, Ambohidrano (presumed), 0309-0340 UTC, Sep 03. A bit of music, then talk in presumed Malagasy with mention of "Madagascar." Ffair peaks but slowly deteriorating, still there, weakly, at 0340. (Wilkins in DXplorer).

Back from 4910 on Sep 17 and 18 at 0231-0255 UTC. Interval signal and choral national anthem at 0231. Malagasy talk, African choral music and Afropop music. Weak. Poor in noisy conditions at tune-in. Improved to a fair level by 0245. Carrier + USB. (Alexander in DXplorer)(DX Window 437)

Recently I have been noticing more logs being reported for NBC Buka on 3325, some not even listed as tentative or presumed. I am not the definitive expert on this matter and can of course only report on what I have heard here at my west coast location, but I respectfully suggest that RRI Palangkaraya might be an alternate possibility (probability?). J-Peace (Japan) www.peace-j.net/ ), like myself, is a regular monitor of Asian/Pacific/Oceania stations. His site is regularly being updated with new recordings. His last recordings for NBC Buka are back in early 2009. That corresponds to and confirms my observations. During my monitoring during the 1200 UT time period, I always hear RRI Palangkaraya. For those who wonder about the quality of my reception and how I can be sure I am in fact hearing Palangkaraya, I refer you to the recent reception in English, with several clear references to Palangkaraya:

6045 kHz, XVRB Radio, via Wertachtal (100 kW, non directional), *0900-1000.* Sunday Sept 18. New station since Aug 21, broadcasts on 3rd Sunday is XVRB Radio. Transmitter switch on from 0857, started with six tone interval signals from 0900-0901. English, many IDs, Rock'n'Roll and Oldies concert. It is The Music Museum at www.xvrb.org/ . E-mail: xvrbradio@gmail.com . S=9+15 to +20dBm in Austria, Germany and Netherlands. SINPO 55555, in Bulgaria, SINPO 45544. Next broadcast scheduled for Sunday Oct 16. (Bueschel, Ivanov, Koie and Robic). They verified my e-mail report a few hours later:

Dear Erik,Thank you very much for your reception report. It's very nice to be informed the signal was 'loud and proud' reaching you in Holte.Confirming your report, let us tell you a little bit more about XVRB:The last few years we noticed that a lot of AM (=MW. Ed) and SW radio stations were shut down. For many years we also noticed that the good old soul and rock 'n' roll sound was almost literaly fading away. Too much 'format radio' just plays some records over and over again. We don't like that too much. At about spring time this year the question raised: Who's gonna play this good old music on AM radio today or in the future coming?As we were trying to give an answer to that question we came to just one answer: We have to do it by ourselves. If we don't....no one will. That would be a pity, because the AM radio experience (which goes for SW as well of course) is a great one. We don't want to loose it. Not for our generation of AM radio fans or next generations to come.That was the main reason why we set up XVRB radio: Just to make contact with all these SW fans, DX-people and music lovers. The station is privately funded, hence the one hour slot one Sunday a month. (We would like to be on the air a little bit more often. At the moment it's better we can guarantee our listeners we can maintain this time slot, every third Sunday of the month; as you never know, what the future will bring, financially spoken.So-in short-XVRB tries to bring the fun element of old style shortwave music radio back to it's audience. As our next broadcast will be next Sunday, October 16 - 0900-1000 UTC we put you on our mailing list (if you like to) to remind you we're on the air again.” (Koie, Sep 19)(DX Window 437)

The latest edition of DX Window, includes the following on QSLing Radio Bulgaria

Bulgaria

5900 kHz, Radio Bulgaria, Plovdiv, 2120-2200* UTC, Saturday Sep 17. English comments and Bulgarian songs, in "Answering Your Letters" Rositsa Petkova mentioned reports received after the EDXC Conference from Kari Kivekas, Jarmo Patala and Jan-Mikael Nurmela from Finland and Tibor Szilagyi from Sweden.First amongst many other listeners was DSWCI-member Dick King, UK, 55555 // 7400 (SINPO55544). She also said: ”Let me quickly remind everyone, who wants to receive the QSL-card, that you need to send us three reception reports, confirming that you listened to Radio Bulgaria on three separate occasions for a length of at least 20-40 minutes. It is also necessary to include some content details and we would like to see your commentaries.” (Petersen/DX Window 437)

The State We're InJonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective.

Mission fiasco

Anthony Shaffer was an American spy whose last mission was in Afghanistan. The military didn’t want him to go public with his story of institutional bloat and incompetence, but he did, in a heavily censored book. Abdul Zaeef was one of the founders of the Taliban. He was imprisoned in Guantanamo for four years, yet still believes in its cause. Anthony Shaffer returns to tell us how he interrogates prisoners, without resorting to torture.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

Earth BeatMarnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we’re leaving on our planet.

Small is beautiful

Not just things like seeds, bugs and macrophotography, but footprints as well. We take a look at the small things and small solutions that make a difference to our ever-changing world.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia WiredStories from South Asia.

She was just 12 years old when she started working at a Bangladeshi garment factory. Over the next 20 years, as Kalpana Aktar became more involved in fighting for workers rights, she found herself being blacklisted and even arrested and accused of terrorism. But she refuses to be cowed and continues to fight for change in Bangladesh’s garment industry – hear Kalpana’s story.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday 22 September)

First airing: Thursday 14:00 UTC

Bridges With AfricaWe're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa.

Uproar in the Dutch museum community about the sale of the World Arts Museum Rotterdam’s entire Africa collection. Mad music from Monrovia, Liberia. La France Afrique, bribery and corruption in French African politics.

If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming an architect, listen to this encounter with Joe Osae-Addo, an architect and designer who’s lived in many parts of the world. His idea about what architects should do is simple: they should meet the needs of the people who use the spaces they create.

Addo himself built a beautiful, breezy home in his native Ghana, using local timber, local bamboo and local adobe mud blocks. Because, he says, importing housing solutions will never work.

First airing: Monday 18:00 UTC

Commonwealth StoryA selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2010 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

The Beast that Came from the Sea - by Lani Young (Samoa). A natural disaster and a mother's tragic loss.

First airing: Tuesday 00:55 UTC

Global PerspectiveWho says I can’t… is the motto of this year’s collaboration of international broadcasters, offering stories of defiance and perseverance.

Who says I can’t squat?

Radio Netherlands Worldwide’s Dheera Sujan visits Sanne, Tom and Bo – three Dutch squatters. She hears their struggle to build – and keep – their home amid the new anti-squat laws in the Netherlands.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

Hear the WorldListen to the world’s musical heartbeat on RNW. A brand new world music series hosted by Dheera Sujan.

Ebo Taylor is a veteran of Ghanaian music. The singer-guitarist plays a mixture of highlife and Afrobeat, accompanied by his band.

Mdungu is an international Afro-groove formation from Amsterdam. They mix traditional African music styles with Western jazz, funk and rock.

The Dutch band New Cool Collective needs no introduction. Led by saxophonist Benjamin Herman, the band plays a mixture of dance, Latin and salsa.

The Havana Cultura project. A funky cooperation between British DJ and Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca, playing the latest Cuban dance music.

First airing: Monday 00:00 UTC

RNW ClassicalClassical concerts from the Royal Concertgebouw as well as studio recordings of Dutch performers, presented by Hans Haffmans.

During the period, solar activity ranged from low to high levels due to a total of 7 M-class and 2 X-class events. The sharp increase in activity from the previous period originated from two regions; Region 1286 (N20, L=304, class/area Dso/080 on 03 September) and Region 1283 (N14, L=226, class/area Dai/230 on 07 September).

The period began at moderate levels due to two M1 x-ray events observed originating from Region 1286 at 05/0428 UTC and 05/0758 UTC respectively.

Solar activity increased to high levels on 06 September. Region 1283 produced an M5/1b flare at 06/0150 UTC and an X2/2b at 06/2220 UTC. The M5 flare had associated Types II and IV radio sweeps and an Earth-directed full-halo CME. The CME had an estimated speed of approximately 450 km/s, based upon STEREO-A COR2 data, with the bulk of the ejecta directed north of the ecliptic plane. The X2 flare was associated with Types II and IV radio sweeps, a 740 sfu Tenflare and an Earth-directed halo CME. The CME had an estimated speed of around 800 km/s, based on STEREO-A COR2 images, with the bulk of mass directed north of the ecliptic plane. 07 September saw high levels again as Region 1283 produced more major activity. Another major event was observed near the end of the 7th when Region 1283 produced an X1/3b at 07/2238 UTC with associated weak Types II and IV radio sweeps, a 1300 sfu Tenflare, and a non-Earth-directed CME. High activity levels persisted on 08 September when Region 1283 produced an M6/1n at 08/1546 UTC associated with a weak Type IV radio sweep.

Solar activity decayed to moderate levels on 09 September when Region 1283 produced two M-class flares. The first was an M2/1n at 09/0609 UTC with an associated Type II radio sweep (estimated velocity 717 km/sec) and a non-geoeffective CME. The second was an M1/1f at 09/1249 UTC. On 10 September, a significant filament eruption centered near N10W48 occurred around 10/0300 UTC. Associated with this eruption was a partial-halo CME (plane-of-sky speed of 620 km/s). As it neared the west limb, Region 1283 produced an M1/Sn at 10/0740 UTC with an associated limb-event CME. On 11 September, solar activity further decreased to low levels. A long duration C6/Sf flare was observed at 11/0851 UTC from Region 1283 as it rotated around the west limb.

There were no proton events observed at geosynchronous orbit. However, two separate enhancements, both in the 10 MeV and 100 MeV energy levels, were observed in the wake of the M5 event early on 06 September and the X2 event late on the 6th. The first enhancement saw a peak of 2.4 pfu at 06/1410 UTC at 10 MeVs and 0.15 pfu at 06/0850 UTC at 100 MeVs. The second enhancement saw a peak of 8.8 pfu at 07/0715 UTC at 10 MeVs and 0.4 pfu at 07/0410 UTC at 100 MeVs. Protons at all energy levels declined to background levels by 08/1800 UTC.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at moderate levels on 05 - 06 September, reached high levels on 07 - 09 September and declined to normal levels on the 10th. Moderate levels were observed again on 11 September.

The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to severe storm levels. The period began with mostly quiet conditions from 05 September through midday on 09 September. Brief periods of active to minor storm conditions were observed at high latitudes on 06 September due to extended periods of southward Bz. Midday on 09 September, two sudden impulses (SI) were observed at 09/1243 UTC and 09/1250 UTC (16nT and 28nT respectively, as measured by the Boulder USGS magnetometer). At 09/1150 UTC, ACE data indicated an interplanetary shock arrival preceding the Boulder SIs. Bt reached up to 24nT, Bz dropped to -23nT, density spiked up to 35p/cc, wind speeds peaked at 602km/s, and temperature increased. As a result, geomagnetic activity levels increased to active to isolated high latitude severe storm levels. Activity was due to combined CME effects associated with 06 - 07 September major flare activity. The storm conditions persisted through 10 September. Late on 10 September, solar wind speed increased to around 620 km/s while the total IMF field (Bt) dropped to around 4nT indicating a likely transition into a negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS). Mostly quiet to unsettled levels were seen on 11 September with an isolated minor storm period at high latitudes.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 14 September - 10 October 2011

Solar activity is expected to be at low to moderate levels through 10 October. A slight chance for an X-class event is possible on 18 September through 07 October as old Regions 1286 (N20, L=304) and 1283 (N14, L=226) rotate back on to the visible disk. Chances for major activity will further increase on 24 September through 01 October when both regions are on the visible disk. Activity is expected to decrease to low to moderate levels from 08 October through the remainder of the period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit through 17 September and again from 08 - 10 October. There is a slight chance for a proton enhancement from 18 September through 07 October due to potential flare activity from Regions 1283 and 1286.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels from 14 - 17 September and normal to moderate levels 18 - 25 September. High levels are expected on 26 - 27 September due to effects from a geoeffective CH HSS. Normal to moderate levels are expected from 28 September - 01 October. High levels are expected again on 02 - 03 October due to another CH HSS. Normal to moderate levels are expected from 04 - 09 October followed by another period of high levels on 10 October due to a third CH HSS.

The geomagnetic field is expected to be mostly quiet through the period. Unsettled conditions are possible on 18 - 19 and 24 - 25 September due to recurrent CH HSS rotating into a geoeffective position. Unsettled conditions with isolated active periods possible are expected on 30 September as a positive polarity CH HSS becomes geoeffective. Unsettled conditions will continue into 01 October. Mostly quiet condtions are expected from 02 through 07 October until another recurrent CH HSS becomes geoeffective. Mostly unsettled conditions are then expected from 08 - 10 October with isolated active periods possible on 09 October.

South Korea’s military operates giant trucks which print and send thousands of leaflets and transmit broadcasts as part of psychological warfare against North Korea, said a report disclosed today. North Korea, which tightly controls news from outside, has responded angrily to past propaganda campaigns by the South’s military or private groups and threatened to fire across the heavily fortified border to stop such campaigns.

Details of South Korea’s military psychological operations (psyops) unit emerged in a defence ministry report to Song Young-Sun, a member of parliament’s defence committee. An aide to Song gave the report to AFP. The defence ministry declined comment to AFP, saying information on psychological warfare is confidential.

The South has five-ton trucks equipped with a satellite data receiver and a printer to publish up to 80,000 leaflets a day, and giant helium balloons to carry leaflets into its isolated communist neighbour, the report said. ”The military is known to launch the balloons twice or three times a month, depending on wind direction and weather conditions,” the aide to Song told AFP.

The psyops unit has practised producing new anti-Pyongyang messages each month in collaboration with US troops in the South and has developed about 1,300 types of leaflets, said the report. Seoul’s military also has a mobile broadcast vehicle and six relay stations which can transmit to the North, it said.

Experts say the regime in the North has tightened its blockade of outside information following the Arab world’s uprisings, fearing copycat disturbances. The North and South agreed in 2004 to halt official cross-border propaganda. But the South resumed “Voice of Freedom” broadcasts after accusing the North of torpedoing a warship in March 2010 with the loss of 46 lives.

The military balloon launches ended in 2000 when ties improved. They were restarted after the North shelled a border island last November and killed four South Koreans. Private groups of activists and defectors also launch their own balloons carrying leaflets and DVDs criticising the North’s authorities and leader Kim Jong-Il.(Source: AFP/R Netherlands)

TWR-Asia recently launched a revitalized website. The design has been updated to reflect a vibrant and modern media organization. The site has also been enhanced to make it more easier to read and navigate.Users can now quickly find out who we are, what we do and why we do it. You can also explore the various ways in which you can get involved with our ministry.

One new feature is improved integration on every page with social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, to allow visitors to conveniently share what they are reading with their friends and “followers.”

Another highlight is that people will now have the opportunity to listen to sample episodes of programs that TWR broadcasts in more than 80 languages across Asia.